The Big Pink -I left with a smile on my face

the big pink mike zimmer nightmair creative

‘These Girls Fall Like Dominos’
The Big Pink show review by Mike Zimmer

I’m going to be honest and open about something. I am a middle aging man. I’ve been to a lot if shows over the years, and I have grown tired of ‘the opening act’. For one, I hate standing in one spot for that long. Another reason being I have had bad luck with openers. I can’t remember one time that I discovered a new band because I saw them open for someone I came to see. I’m sure such a band exists in my past, but for the sake of saving me from traveling down memory lane, I will just leave it at that.

That brings us to local openers Gang Signs. I came early to check them out as a favor. Gang Signs did not anger me, nor annoy me. But they did not convert me into a fan. The crowd loved them; including members of The Big Pink; during their performance the singer of Big Pink gave them very high praise. He even went on to say that they were deeply honored to play with such a band. Great musicians indeed, but I guess I am just picky with my electro shoegaze music.

The Big Pink however, I wasn’t very familiar with other than their hit album ‘A Brief History of Love’ (2009). A friend who I shared a music blog with introduced it to me. In research for this review I found some of their newer stuff quite appealing. So I had a good idea of what I was getting myself into. Their set started off with some sound issues but once their new single ‘Hightimes’ kicked in, the crowd (about 100-ish in attendance), myself included, really got into it. Unfortunately as the set carried on I found myself mentally wavering. I had heard from other reviewers that they really don’t pull off their brand of electro rock well live. It is definitely a genre that is hard to capture live. But having seen this sound done well before (The Soft Moon) it set a benchmark in my mind. I have seen a bunch of very reputable bands within the genera really eat it live. But The Big Pink didn’t eat it, they meandered. I think it might be the song writing. I say this because the hits have way more punch. All it all it was a mediocre night. However you couldn’t help but leave with a smile on your face. The set ended with their hit ‘Domino’. That song is so infectious, it leaves you in some sort of euphoria. I should mention that ‘Domino’ was sampled by Nicki Minaj in 2011. So she knows what I’m talking about.

Oh, and I stood through the whole show. Even though it was leg day.

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written by Mike Zimmer

 

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